Channing Tatum... Could It Be True? 'Magic Mike 2'?!

According to an interview with Glamour U.K., Channing Tatum says that after the wicked success of Magic Mike, a sequel is in the works. Jezebel reports that a month ago, Tatum was saying, "This will be my swan song, I will never do or talk anything about stripping after this ever, ever again."

But that was, of course, before Magic Mike cleared $77 million at the box office in less than two weeks (it cost $7 million to make). Now, he says that director Steven Soderbergh is on board for a sequel: "Yes, yes and yes! We're working on the concept now. We want to flip the script and make it bigger."

Um, bigger? Why, what do you mean, Channing? Let's hope that Joe Manganiello is on board, along with Matthew McConaughey (who's pretty integral to the plot). And maybe... just maybe, William Levy can make up for his previous sin of turning down a role in the smash flick. Bigger and better, indeed. Ooh la la! *

William Levy... Now That's What I Call A Workout

Following William Levy's triumphant return during Latin Week on Dancing With The Stars—where he scored 29/30—our Sexiest Man Alive is hard at work practicing for Motown week with partner Cheryl Burke... Meanwhile, he continues to garner a flood of English-language and TV press... amazing considering that his breakout in the States comes amid the 14th season of a well-traveled reality show. The wearisome American Idol should be so lucky...

Actually, a look at this season's ratings for DWTS reveals that it is not only maintaining its popularity, but growing, despite being so long in the tooth—which I, in all seriousness, credit Will Levy for. While the ABC series has made him a breakout sex symbol in mainstream America, he has also stirred new-found excitement for the show as its "undiscovered" star... quite a contrast to its usual menu of C-level has-beens like Marie Osmond, Kirstie Allie or Melissa Gilbert.

Monday's two-hour Latin Week competition, April 16, finished as the night's most-watched TV program, soaring to the top of its time slot for the fifth straight week and beating runner-up NBC reality competition The Voice by 6.4 million viewers.  In addition, the dance competition ranked No. 1 in the slot with women 25-54, second with women 18-49 and making ABC the No. 2 broadcaster with teens 12-17 and kids 2-11. So sorry, no ratings are available on the break-out of the gay audience... but trust me, we were all tuned in to see Will's abs and radiant smile.

Meanwhile, Tuesday's "Results Show" April 17 fostered an audience of 13.8 million, making it the most-watched TV show in its slot for the fourth week running, while trumping its unscripted competition on NBC with an increase of 5 million viewers from the week before and up 4.4 million from the week previous.  

DWTS was Tuesday’s No. 2 TV show overall on any network, behind only NCIS. Tell me that Levy is not fueling such a phenomenon. Obviously, the couple of People proves without a doubt that he is destined to become a major Hollywood star. And to think, a few months ago, I was wholly irritated that he turned down a role in the ensemble Magic Mike film. Who'd have known then that a damn reality show would become William Levy's vehicle to stardom in the States?

Let's just hope that he has the juice—and the judges have the gumption—to keep Will on top of the competition. Because let's face it: As soon as he exits, it's the end of the ratings juggernaut. I, for one, will never watch the show again, simply enough. Consider me gay Everyman. And believe me, reading so many queer blogs, you better believe we're tuning in just to catch a twice-weekly healthy dose of the Sexiest Man Alive. * Below, ABC News talks about how DWTS gets its competitors in great shape. William is interviewed, saying that he's already lost 10 pounds during the competition. I'm more concerned that he continues to lose his shirt, actually... *

2011's Sexiest Man Alive... And The Nominees Are...

Welcome to the world-class nominee pool for The Smoking Nun's 2011 Sexiest Man Alive. This year, we offer a field of nine macho candidates for your viewing pleasure. And the nominees are... Jed Hill, Joe Manganeillo, Michael Barre, Josey Greenwell, Chris Hemsworth, Nick Ayler and 2010 encores William Levy, Kellan Lutz and Rodiney Santiago.

And now, cool cats, it's your turn to vote! See the poll to the right side and offer your input for 2011's Sexiest Man Alive. The winner (uh, despite your input) will be announced in one week, December 28.

JED HILL

Jed Hill, 26 and a former Penn State football player, decided the world would be better served by his dedication to fitness and underwear modeling. We wholeheartedly agree.

WILLIAM LEVY

Encore!!! 2010's runner-up for Sexiest Man Alive William Levy (a hair behind Rodiney Santiago) fulfilled 2011 with a red-hot calendar and constant presence in Latino pop culture, as he wrapped his role in telenovela Triunfo del Amor, made a cultural event out of Jennifer Lopez's music video for "I'm Into You" and for the fifth time, was named one of People en Español's Most Beautiful. He made a horrid strategic error in turning down a role in Magic Mike, his potential foray into Hollywood, and shaved his head in 2011. But we still love the guy.
JOE MANGANEILLO

HBO's True Blood co-lead Joe Manganeillo, whom I'm frothing all over in his role as Big Dick Richie in 2012's Magic Mike, plain and simple, offers the full package: machismo, beautiful brown eyes, great sweeping hair, packed jeans and of course, those delish abs. So handsome. Ooh la la!

KELLAN LUTZ

Kellan Lutz is another 2011 encore, following a number of fitness covers and delectable photo shoots. He's on the verge of becoming toooo muscular, a la steroid king, but as long as he maintains those radiant blue eyes, Kellan is in the running.

MICHAEL BARRE

Ruff!! Model Michael Barre is all a man oughta be—and, indeed, everything a gay enjoys ogling. Do we even have to list his attributes? A stunning face, a body worthy of naughty porn, a teasing smile and lord have mercy, he does appear to fill his britches, yes?

RODINEY SANTIAGO

Welcome back, Rod! 2010's Sexiest Man Alive definitely kept the fire burning in 2011, with a constant flow of new modeling gigs, including Rufskin, in addition to countless personal appearances, including several in NYC, where I was able to say howdy to this surprisingly sweet, sincere swath of perfection. Rodiney earned high marks on a monthly picturesque basis—not to mention being the most-visited presence on The Smoking Nun all year, alongside William Levy. Could Rodiney score a two-for-two Sexiest Man of the Year victory? Take a look at that face & bod and you tell me.

JOSEY GREENWELL

Out-and-proud country singer and model Josey Greenwell was raised in Kentucky, won the Colgate Country Showdown in 2006 and was signed to a record deal in Nashville at age 19. When the label discovered that Greenwell is gay, he was promptly dropped. Now the 23-year-old singer is finding his own way, thanks to a shitload of gay press and a promising modeling career. He covered DNA mag and the 2012 Sparticus Travel Guide this year with... our beloved Rodiney Santiago.

CHRIS HEMSWORTH

The star of 2011 hit flick Thor transformed what could have been a one-dimensional superhero role into a bemusing onscreen presence, while boasting undeniable beauty & machismo. Chris Hemsworth has a mighty promising career before him, with a "nice guy" rep in Hollywood & heaps of talent.NICK AYLER

Talk about winning the beautiful man lottery. Nick Ayler was born in Las Vegas, and moved 18 times by the time he graduated from high school. As a model, he has graced campaigns for Abercrombie & Fitch, TYORI menswear and Apple, as well as modeling for DNA, Mens Exercise and Bello. He's appeared in flicks Holy Rollers & Fighting, and TV shows Army Wives & Mercy. He also happens to be one of the most delectable men I have ever seen in my long long life.

Who Can Eat Just One: William Levy In Sabritas Chips Commercial

Our beloved Sexiest Man Alive William Levy recently shot a pair of commercials for Sabritas potato chips for Spanish-language TV. Translation: Mmm mmm good! The video for the first, in which a female cop gently taps him on the behind, appears below. Think it's too late for me to enroll in the Police Academy?

Meanwhile, Levy began a run in the play "Perfume de Gardenias" in October at the Nokia Theatre in Los Angeles. It appears his ambitions to conquer Hollywood—particularly after turning down a role in hottie stripper flick Magic Mike—have fallen flat. Following his role in "Triumph of Love," which wrapped last summer, he reported to webbie Que Telenovelas that he does intend to return to the genre in the future.

In 2012, Will will also star in and produce a new TV series, whose pilot will be taped in January. He's also slated for a leading role in a remake of "Cuna de lobos," a new series scheduled for the first half of the year on Channel of the Stars.

Below the video, check out a flood of newish photos.